Worldling Comes Home

The weight of his luggage wore heavy on Worldling’s shoulders. This was saying something, given his physical prowess. With each laboured step, he made his way a little bit closer to his home– the shop his littermates had set up in his name. The thought left a little smile on his face, filling him thoroughly with the determination to press on, and not leave all of his stuff lying in a heap on the ground for imps to find and ravage.

His shadow had hardly darkened the doorstep when Abettance threw open the door, eyes lit up. She always seemed to have a sense for Worldling’s arrivals– he never sent word ahead; he loved to surprise her. The look on her face when she saw him was always delightful– and in this case, she had it on while running directly at him.

“Wait, wait- Abby, no-”

Worldling hardly managed the sentence before she was upon him. She threw herself at him, and he, unbalanced by his backpack, fell unceremoniously on his back.

“Worldling!” she cheered, nuzzling her furry cheek to his chest.

“Hi, Abby,” Worldling groaned, paralyzed with the shock of the fall.

“You didn’t call!” She pulled herself up, resting on her hind legs.

“I never call,” was the amused response.

“You’re such an asshole!” She thumped her hoof against him twice.

“What? I don’t even have a phone!” He couldn’t help but let a small laugh escape him. “Now, get off me. I can’t sit up with you there.”

“You deserve to stay knocked over,” she shot back. “Leaving me all alone.”

“Alone?”

“You-Know-Who hasn’t left his cave for months.” Abettance rolled her eyes. “I’ve been running the Hole by myself. Not that it matters, since it’s so far from the main city– but also, kind of all the more! There aren’t even any customers to entertain me.”

“Aw, that’s so mean of him.” Worldling frowned. “What’s he working on, now?”

“Who’s to say? He won’t even talk to me. I’m not sure he’s even alive down there. Who cares, though? I’m sure you’ve got a million stories! How are your friends? How’s Susurrus?”

“Can I please go inside? I could use a drink after the trek I’ve had.”

“I’m not done, here. We’re catching up!”

“I’d love to catch up while not on my back, if that’s cool.”

“It isn’t. How’s the business?”

“I have no idea, but Susurrus is doing great. Well, she’s busy– always is, but she seems happy. I didn’t stick around long.”

“Of course you didn’t. Did you say hi for me?” Abettance shifted her weight left and right in anticipation, her stony legs pressing into her brother figure.

“Obviously. You weigh, like, a million pounds– please get off of me.”

“It’s the rocks! And still, no. Not until I’m done! You’re so impatient!”

“Look, my sword is digging into my back through the bag-”

“Is that so?” Abettance wiggles back and forth, a grin coming to her face.

“Careful, careful, careful! You’re going to stab me! That’ll wipe that look off your face.”

“What, this one?” She contorts her expression to one that no one would ever wear naturally, for any reason.

“You know what? Yeah, probably. If I was stabbed and started bleeding to death, you’d cut that out real quick. Or maybe you’d just get stuck like that. You’d look better, honestly.”

“My littermates are so mean to me!”

Abettance jumps off of Worldling’s chest, landing on all fours by his side.

Worldling tried to pull himself up, but the weight of his bag kept him firmly rooted to the ground. He tried a little harder.

Abettance snickered.

“Are you going to help me, or just stay like that?” Worldling asked, turning his head to the side.

Abettance looked down at her form. “Nah, I’m good. This is way funnier.”

“Ha, ha.” Worldling rolled his eyes. 

He slid his arms out from their restraints, and sat up with ease. He made jazz hands at her, and then stood up.

“Are you taller than when you left?” Abettance asked.

“No, but you probably got shorter.” Worldling leaned over and lifted his bag, slinging it around his shoulders in a swift and powerful motion. “Can you get the door from me?”

“Nope. I’m using the little entrance.”

“You’re an asshole, too, you know that?”